Minnie Riperton
Minnie Riperton was an American singer-songwriter best known for her five-octave vocal range and her 1975 hit single “Lovin’ You.” Born on November 8, 1947,...
Category : Performance
Maurice White
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Singer/drummer/songwriter/producer Maurice White founded the ’70s supergroup Earth, Wind & Fire. White, a former session drummer for legendary Chicago-based labels OKeh Records and Chess Records...
Ramsey Emmanuel Lewis, Jr.
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World-famous jazz musician and composer Ramsey Emmanuel Lewis, Jr. was first given piano lessons at age four. He was born in Chicago on May 27,...
Leonard and Phil Chess
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In 1950s Chicago, two Polish Jewish brothers founded the hugely influential Chess Records label. Working with artists like Chuck Berry and Howlin’ Wolf, they released...
Chess Records
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Founded in 1950, Chess Records captured a vibrant new style of American music with roots in the American South that influenced and inspired rock and...
Charles Stepney
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Charles Stepney was a highly influential American record producer, arranger, and composer. Born on August 26, 1931, in Chicago, Illinois, Stepney made significant contributions to...
Robert Allen Cole
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Robert Allen Cole was born on July 1, 1868, in Athens, Georgia, the son of former slaves. Like Will Marion Cook and James Reese Europe,...
J. Rosamond Johnson (John Rosamond), 1873-1954
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John Rosamond Johnson was one of the more important figures in black music in the first part of the 20th century, usually in partnership with...
The Black National Anthem (1900)
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Words: James Weldon Johnson Music: John Rosamond Johnson Lift every voice and sing, till earth and heaven ring, Ring with the harmonies of liberty; Let...
Maxine Sullivan
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Maxine Sullivan had very little formal music training. She was discovered while singing at the Benjamin Harrison Literary Club in Pittsburg by Gladys Mosier. Mosier...